We had our post-op appointment with the surgeon yesterday and she confirmed that they were able to extract the entire tumor with clean margins of the surrounding tissue. There are 6 margins and some people have to get 2 or 3 more surgeries before all the surrounding tissue around the tumor is free of cancer. They got all of mine out in one fail swoop. The tumor had actually grown to 4.5 cm beyond the 3 cms they originally thought. But miraculously the area they removed had all clean margins of 7cms. That was God!
Thank you to everyone for your prayers. God answered them! We figured out that this tumor has probably been in my body for at least 4 years. It was an invasive carcinoma and a grade 3, which is the fastest growing and spreading. Again God took care of everything because when they tested the lymph nodes only 1 out of 4 tested positive. So, they removed my axillary lymph nodes under my arm. And all nine of them were clean. It did not metastasize! It is amazing that with the size, the type of cancer, and how long I had it that it didn’t spread and that we got it out in time. This is proof that God was working. Praise the Lord!
Since they removed the entire tumor, they were able to stage it. They classified it as a stage 2B which is considered an early stage of cancer! It is amazing that for as long as I had the tumor and it being the most aggressive that it did not metastasize and spread to my blood, bones, lungs or brain. That’s a miracle! We are continuing to believe that the Lord has fully healed me from this disease through the Doctors hands He gifted and everyone's prayers. Because of my age the Surgeon recommends radiation in the breast and chemo to prevent reoccurrence. At this point, I am not sure what to do. I need to spend time researching and praying asking Jesus to guide my next steps. Fortunately, the Susan G. Komen Foundation is conducting a full day conference on Saturday February 28th at the Oregon Convention center (God’s timing is so good). In 2 weeks, I will be able to talk to other survivors, find out the latest research and information about breast cancer. Also, March 9th, I have an appointment with the Oncologist at Kaiser. At that time, the oncologist will run all the numbers and let me know what treatments have the best stats for preventing reoccurrence and if the treatments stats are significant enough for me to pursue them.
Yesterday, they removed the drain from below my armpit. I am so glad to get that out! Because they removed 13 lymph nodes, my arm is going to take about 6 weeks to fully heal. It’s pretty painful. But my Surgeon reminded me that it has only been a week. I can’t carry anything; and, I can’t lift my arm or elbow very high. The doctor expects that I should be able to lift my arm straight up above my head in about 6 weeks. So, I guess I will be raising only one hand in worship for a while, LOL. ;-)
MORE THANK YOUS:
Michelle Mitchell, thank you for the Shari’s Berries chocolate covered stawberries. The coconut covered white chocolate one was my favorite. The berries were so sweet and fresh and the chocolate was delicious. What an original and thoughtful gift. You are a wonderful person. I wished you lived closer. I miss laughing with you and being silly.
Sunya, thank you for your card and the book title on preventing Lymphedema. I ordered it. Also, I talked to my surgeon and she referred me to a Physical Therapist. Thank you for all your help. I have more peace of mind knowing I will be seeing a PT.
Deone, thank you for the card and chocolate truffles. They are so yummy. You are such a caring person. I can’t wait to see your blog with all the movies you have been in. You better get it done.
Thank you to Jerushah, Brittney, and Kathy Stewart for texting and checking up on me!
Thank you, Kathy Boesnisch for the article from John Hopkins University about alternatives to chemo. They actually talk about why chemo is not always the best choice. This was so helpful!
Thank you, Tanya for the star gazer lilies. They are my favorite. I love how they smell!
Thank you to everyone who writes comments on my blog. They come up on my cell phone and I love to hear from you.
Thank you Peggy De Marini for the beautiful lia sophia necklace. You are too good to me!
Thanks be to God for healing me and protecting me. It’s a miracle that the tumor is gone and that it didn’t spread! Praise you Lord for your grace, love and goodness! What the enemy meant for evil, God uses for good. Since, this experience I have learned to fully trust god, fall back into His arms and know that He has a plan for me; and, that He will finish the good work He started in me!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Have an apt this Friday
We have an appointment with the Surgeon this Friday the 12th. I will be getting the drain removed and we will find out and discuss any results at that time. So, I won't be updating the blog until probably late Friday or the weekend. Thank you for all your prayers. I am having a hard time because I am not able to do the things I usually do; but, I am trying to be patient and recuperate. It's a struggle. But in my weakness, HE is strong. And HIS grace is sufficient for me.
Love and Blessings, Kandie :-)
Love and Blessings, Kandie :-)
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Hi There!
Hello everyone. I want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone! Because of your support, my recovery has been good.
I was a bit nervous before the surgery, since it was the first time. But the nurse who prepped me for surgery had a lumpectomy a year ago, so I was able to ask her a ton of questions. It was very comforting to talk to someone who had just been through the same thing. The surgery went really well. I was worried it would take them forever to knock me out or that I would wake up before they were done operating. All I remember is that they rolled me into the operating room and told me they were moving me to the operating table... and then I was out. Hallelujah! They had to wake me up after surgery too! I am so glad I don't remember anything. When I woke up my wrist with the IV was sore. Honestly, I think that was the most unpleasant part of the whole experience. They ended up moving the IV to my forearm after they finally found a vein. It was a lot better then. My surgery started at 9:15am and I woke up around 1:00pm. At 5:00pm the nurse said that I better rest. She said that I'd been hyper ever since I woke up. I was surprised, I felt quite mellow. I got sick from the anesthesia around 7pm and finally went to bed about 10:30pm. My poor husband started his allergies that day. They were so bad I begged him to go home and take a steam room and sleep in a comfortable bed. Please pray for him. He has been miserable. It usually takes about 2 weeks for his allergy medication to kick in.
When they did the surgery, they put in a JP tube which is basically a drain right below my armpit. They took some of my lymph nodes out to test. Because they did an axillary node dissection they had to put a tube in. The nurse who helped me had that done too. She was glad they did it just to make sure they checked everything and they found her cancer had not spread. So even though there is a chance of lymphedema (swelling of the arm) it is good that they are checking me thoroughly. I am praying I won't get lymphedema. It can cause your arm to swell up as big as your thigh. I am giving all my worries to the Lord. I will get the drain out on Friday.
So far my recovery has been good. Unfortunately, my period (I know TMI) which was supposed to start Monday started the day of surgery, so I've had to deal with cramps and all that unpleasant stuff. The tube in my side is really uncomfortable, but the pain isn't too bad. I accidentally pulled the tube 3 times now, so I am trying to take it easy.
My mother-in-law, Tanya has been a gem. Since she lives right next door, she has been cooking for us. Thank you Tanya! The sea bass was delicious last night. Thank you also to my mom, Kathleen for buying me all the pajamas, shirts and sweatshirts with buttons and zippers. I can't lift my left arm above my head; and I really didn't have any open shirts, so thanks mom. You did an excellent job of picking cute clothes!
Thank you to my husband Dimitri, my love, my angel. Who says you don't have patience? You have been my rock and have made sure I don't over do things. What would I do wihout you? I love you more than words can say!
Thanks to Kristi P. and Ashlie D. for visiting me in the hospital. I am so grateful to have friends like you who care for me greatly and encouraged me to get surgery.
Thank you to my brother Keith for stopping by before, it meant a lot.
Thank you to my little brother, Trent for your phone calls and support.
Thank you Rick Lundh for updating my blog the day of surgery, especially since you also just had surgery for your tonsils and were medicated. You are a great friend. I pray you are feeling better and are fully recovered!
Thank you to Shirly Page for the Debbie Watt's CD's on healing. I had actually located her website and read some of the scriptures about healing. It was so neat to get her CD's as well. Thank you!
Thank you to Dan and Celine for the card and plant. The hyacinth makes my kitchen smell good.
Thank you to John and Susan Hamilton and the staff at Elite Realty Ltd for the beautiful flowers. The lavender roses are gorgeous.
Thank you to Kate Fine and the congregation from the Montavilla United Methodist Church for the beautiful blue prayer shawl. I receive the peace, strength, health and joy it was blessed with.
Thank you to Kate F. and Kristie G. for the beautiful red and white bouquet, I love the carnations. Thank you Kristie and Sonya for helping take care of my kids. I miss them so much, I saw a photo of them the other day and I started crying.
Thank you to everyone who has been leaving comments on my blog. The messages come up on my phone, so I get to read them right away. Forgive me for not responding. I do read them and they make my day.
Thank you to Bonnie M. for your FAITH and encouraging texts. You are wonderful!
Thank you Cindy Norton for blessing me with God's word and promises.
Thank you Kirsten Oliver for all your blog comments and texts. You are very sweet and special.
Thank you to Tiffany B. for all your emails and prayers I am grateful to know you.
Thank you to Craig and Shelly U. for all your emails and encouragement. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Thank you to Barb, Steven, Janice, Darro, Tricia, and Erin for the beautiful flowers that brighten my room. I love the daffodils and tulips.
Thank you to Erin Roberston and her husband John for making all the deliveries and praying for me!
Thank you to Mardie J. for the beautiful card reminding me that God is always with us.
Thank you Mary R. for all your help and encouragement. I am so grateful for all you have done.
Thank you to Sharon, Liya and Fran for all your texts and emails and to the rest my Arbonne International team for all your prayers!
Thank you to Peggy De Marini, Barbara Shelton and my lia sophia jewelry team for all your prayers! Peggy you have been such a great support.
Thank you to all the breast cancer survivors I spoke with who were so open and honest with their own journeys. You are an inspiration! Thank you Joanne Herb for all your support and emails.
Thank you to all my friends at Generation Church and Living Hope Fellowship in Aloha. Your prayers have sustained and edified me.
Thank you to Vicki Anderson for continuing the amazing ministry of the Portland Healing Rooms that you and your husband Ron started. Thank to everyone who has been praying for me. Special thanks to Andy and Wayne for your many hours and nights of praying and fighting for me!
Thank you to the Russian Church of Grace for your prayers and to Peter for praying for me at City Bible and to Sergey and Alla for all your prayers and emails.
Thank you to my friends from Life Church in Salem. It was great seeing you a couple of weeks ago! I wish you were closer. We miss seeing you!
About a few weeks ago, in the "comments" section of my blog, I'd thanked others for their cards, prayers and gifts. So, if you didn't see your name in the blog section, check the comments section. I hope I remembered to mention everyone and thank them.
I should know the results from the biopsy of the lymph nodes around Tuesday. I will update my blog, once I have more info. It is so nice to be able to communicate with everyone this way. As you can see I have a lot of people to thank.
I love you guys and I pray the the Lord will bless you with his peace, grace and love! Kandie
I was a bit nervous before the surgery, since it was the first time. But the nurse who prepped me for surgery had a lumpectomy a year ago, so I was able to ask her a ton of questions. It was very comforting to talk to someone who had just been through the same thing. The surgery went really well. I was worried it would take them forever to knock me out or that I would wake up before they were done operating. All I remember is that they rolled me into the operating room and told me they were moving me to the operating table... and then I was out. Hallelujah! They had to wake me up after surgery too! I am so glad I don't remember anything. When I woke up my wrist with the IV was sore. Honestly, I think that was the most unpleasant part of the whole experience. They ended up moving the IV to my forearm after they finally found a vein. It was a lot better then. My surgery started at 9:15am and I woke up around 1:00pm. At 5:00pm the nurse said that I better rest. She said that I'd been hyper ever since I woke up. I was surprised, I felt quite mellow. I got sick from the anesthesia around 7pm and finally went to bed about 10:30pm. My poor husband started his allergies that day. They were so bad I begged him to go home and take a steam room and sleep in a comfortable bed. Please pray for him. He has been miserable. It usually takes about 2 weeks for his allergy medication to kick in.
When they did the surgery, they put in a JP tube which is basically a drain right below my armpit. They took some of my lymph nodes out to test. Because they did an axillary node dissection they had to put a tube in. The nurse who helped me had that done too. She was glad they did it just to make sure they checked everything and they found her cancer had not spread. So even though there is a chance of lymphedema (swelling of the arm) it is good that they are checking me thoroughly. I am praying I won't get lymphedema. It can cause your arm to swell up as big as your thigh. I am giving all my worries to the Lord. I will get the drain out on Friday.
So far my recovery has been good. Unfortunately, my period (I know TMI) which was supposed to start Monday started the day of surgery, so I've had to deal with cramps and all that unpleasant stuff. The tube in my side is really uncomfortable, but the pain isn't too bad. I accidentally pulled the tube 3 times now, so I am trying to take it easy.
My mother-in-law, Tanya has been a gem. Since she lives right next door, she has been cooking for us. Thank you Tanya! The sea bass was delicious last night. Thank you also to my mom, Kathleen for buying me all the pajamas, shirts and sweatshirts with buttons and zippers. I can't lift my left arm above my head; and I really didn't have any open shirts, so thanks mom. You did an excellent job of picking cute clothes!
Thank you to my husband Dimitri, my love, my angel. Who says you don't have patience? You have been my rock and have made sure I don't over do things. What would I do wihout you? I love you more than words can say!
Thanks to Kristi P. and Ashlie D. for visiting me in the hospital. I am so grateful to have friends like you who care for me greatly and encouraged me to get surgery.
Thank you to my brother Keith for stopping by before, it meant a lot.
Thank you to my little brother, Trent for your phone calls and support.
Thank you Rick Lundh for updating my blog the day of surgery, especially since you also just had surgery for your tonsils and were medicated. You are a great friend. I pray you are feeling better and are fully recovered!
Thank you to Shirly Page for the Debbie Watt's CD's on healing. I had actually located her website and read some of the scriptures about healing. It was so neat to get her CD's as well. Thank you!
Thank you to Dan and Celine for the card and plant. The hyacinth makes my kitchen smell good.
Thank you to John and Susan Hamilton and the staff at Elite Realty Ltd for the beautiful flowers. The lavender roses are gorgeous.
Thank you to Kate Fine and the congregation from the Montavilla United Methodist Church for the beautiful blue prayer shawl. I receive the peace, strength, health and joy it was blessed with.
Thank you to Kate F. and Kristie G. for the beautiful red and white bouquet, I love the carnations. Thank you Kristie and Sonya for helping take care of my kids. I miss them so much, I saw a photo of them the other day and I started crying.
Thank you to everyone who has been leaving comments on my blog. The messages come up on my phone, so I get to read them right away. Forgive me for not responding. I do read them and they make my day.
Thank you to Bonnie M. for your FAITH and encouraging texts. You are wonderful!
Thank you Cindy Norton for blessing me with God's word and promises.
Thank you Kirsten Oliver for all your blog comments and texts. You are very sweet and special.
Thank you to Tiffany B. for all your emails and prayers I am grateful to know you.
Thank you to Craig and Shelly U. for all your emails and encouragement. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Thank you to Barb, Steven, Janice, Darro, Tricia, and Erin for the beautiful flowers that brighten my room. I love the daffodils and tulips.
Thank you to Erin Roberston and her husband John for making all the deliveries and praying for me!
Thank you to Mardie J. for the beautiful card reminding me that God is always with us.
Thank you Mary R. for all your help and encouragement. I am so grateful for all you have done.
Thank you to Sharon, Liya and Fran for all your texts and emails and to the rest my Arbonne International team for all your prayers!
Thank you to Peggy De Marini, Barbara Shelton and my lia sophia jewelry team for all your prayers! Peggy you have been such a great support.
Thank you to all the breast cancer survivors I spoke with who were so open and honest with their own journeys. You are an inspiration! Thank you Joanne Herb for all your support and emails.
Thank you to all my friends at Generation Church and Living Hope Fellowship in Aloha. Your prayers have sustained and edified me.
Thank you to Vicki Anderson for continuing the amazing ministry of the Portland Healing Rooms that you and your husband Ron started. Thank to everyone who has been praying for me. Special thanks to Andy and Wayne for your many hours and nights of praying and fighting for me!
Thank you to the Russian Church of Grace for your prayers and to Peter for praying for me at City Bible and to Sergey and Alla for all your prayers and emails.
Thank you to my friends from Life Church in Salem. It was great seeing you a couple of weeks ago! I wish you were closer. We miss seeing you!
About a few weeks ago, in the "comments" section of my blog, I'd thanked others for their cards, prayers and gifts. So, if you didn't see your name in the blog section, check the comments section. I hope I remembered to mention everyone and thank them.
I should know the results from the biopsy of the lymph nodes around Tuesday. I will update my blog, once I have more info. It is so nice to be able to communicate with everyone this way. As you can see I have a lot of people to thank.
I love you guys and I pray the the Lord will bless you with his peace, grace and love! Kandie
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Surgery Complete!
Hello all, This is Rick Lundh...Kandie and Dimitri asked me to update the blog for them today and let you know how today went so you arent left wondering.
Because Kandie's biopsy was Axillary, they gave her the option to either go home tonight, or stay overnight in the hospital. Kandie wanted me to let you know that she feels great that God took excelleant care of her today, as the surgery went well. Because she needs to focus on resting, she chose to stay at the hospital this evening and that she and Dimitri will update everyone further when they get a chance in the next coming days...
They will know the results of the Biopsy by Monday or Tuesday and they will update the blog when they recieve that data... She wants to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers once again... and she selflessly wishes love and blessings on all her friends and family...
Thanks...and stay tuned!
-Rick
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
EXCELLENT NEWS! Hallelujah!
I just received a phone call from the genetic counselor from Kaiser. She said that the results from the gene test for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 (genes associated with breast and ovarian cancer) came back negative! So, I don't have the genes. God is goooooooooooooooood!!!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Surgery this Thursday 2/5/2009
Thank you all for your encouraging comments and prayers. My husband and I went in to see the surgeon for the pre-op today. I am scheduled to get the lump removed this Thursday at 8:30am. Because I am having a lumpectomy it is considered out patient treatment. So, I will probably be home by noon. They will also be doing a biopsy of the lymph nodes. We are believing God that when they test the lump that miraculously there will be no signs of cancer. We are asking for prayers for all the doctors and staff. I just found out that my surgeon has a 2 year old (tee hee). I am so grateful for ALL your support. I will try and update my blog on Friday the 6th if I can or as soon as possible. Love and Blessings, Kandie ;-)
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